PIAKO. (By our Travelling Reporter.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 381, 22 October 1874, Page 2

PIAKO. (By our Travelling Reporter.)

It cannot but be gratifying to all who take an interest in the future of these islands to see country which has lain for years in the possession of Maoris who either will not or cannot cultivate it, pass into the h.mds of Europeans capable of developing its resources and contributing to the general wealth of the colony, — such a country is the Piako district. Until compaiati-v ely recent gieat difficulty lms J»een experienced by the whites in even passing through the district; now largo blocks of land have been acquired and settlement is rapidly progressing. One of the greatest difficulties in the way of its more rapid development has been the want of anything like a decent road, but this has hajjpily been overcome. The track at present certainly is none of the best, but stei>s are to be taken immediately for its improvement. A short time after leaving Capt Steele's we arrived at some awkward hills which should be cut through, as the road at present crosses them and renders it very difficult for drays to pass to the settlement. About six miles from this spot I met with a formidable obstacle in which is generally known as the Fascined Gully. It is quite necessary that this should be forthwith bridged. As far as I could learn, it was intended to spend some £30 or £40 npon making the road at this point passable, but through some misunderstanding with the contractor, the present miserable apology for a crossing has resulted. For the next four or five miles there is a very fair road, until a tract of swampy ground is reached, which requires draining. Soon after leaving this, the Waitekura Creek is struck and a fair road following the course of the stream to its junction with the Piako. The distance of this spot from Hamilton is about 25 miles. I understand that the Provincial Government have granted £50 towards forming the road, and have further promised to give £2 for every £1 collected by the settlers up to £300. I saw a list containing the names of those willing to subscribe, and the gross amount pi'oniiped was considerably in excess of £150. This latter sum will bring in £300 of Provincial money at the rate above mentioned. There will, therefore, bo available for forming the road during this summer about £450. It is computed by competent persons that £500 will do all that is required. From Maungiako to the head of the navigation there ai-e bridges at all necessary spots, placed there out of funds granted by the Provincial Government some two or three years ago. On arriving at my destitution, I met a settler renowned for his hospitality, irom whom I gleaned considerable information in reference to the district. There are 70,000 acres now in the hands of Europeons, in tracts varying in size up to 14,000 acres. The whole of these holdings are being rapidly brought under cultivation and stocked. The settlement of this district only commenced about two years ago, and already there are over 1000 acres laid down in grass and at least 1000 head of cattle running on it. Besides this 200 acres have been sown with grain, and 50 with potatoes. 1 am. given to understand thtit during six months of the year small steamers can ascend the Piako riverto what is known as the head of of the navigation where the Waitekura and Te Au Waikato streams fall into the main stream. I was much struck with the strong belief in the future of this great district existing in the minds of the settlers, evidenced by the building now being erected upon the estate of Messrs Morrin and Co. These gentlemen are the possessors of about 11,000 acres, which they are gradually bringing into cultivation. Upon this tract of land they are at present constructing a fine six-roomed house, which will contain over 150,000 feot of timber. I think this cofidence in the future of the district is not misplaced. The land appears as a rule to be first-class. There is a magnificent market for the settjers* produce at the Thames, which is accessible by water carriage, and when the railway shall have been opened to Hamilton, and the road to that place properly formed, Auckland will bo tilho available. If it were for the sake of this district alone, the Government should throw a bridge across the Horotiu to connect with the railway at Hamilton. There is a large tr.ict of country still to be taken up in the Piako, and, the traffic resulting from its settlement would amply repay the expenditure necensavy for this work. Any disinterested person visiting the Piako must come to the conclusion that there is a great future before it, and the enorgy nnd perseverance of those who have established themselves there, already displayed, augur well for its rapid advancement. I have not yet vjsited the swamp taken up by Captain Steele and others, but purpose doing so shortly, when I will report fully upon the works at present being carried on.